We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a text message on my phone around 3 p.m. while I was at work, doing my job as a house cleaner. When I checked the message, my heart skipped a beat; it was the notification that the first GiveDirectly transfer had been sent to me. My eyes welled up with tears of joy, and I couldn't stop smiling. All the hardships and struggles I had been facing suddenly felt like they were melting away. It was as if a ray of hope had pierced through the darkest clouds, and I knew that this support would make a world of difference in my life. Gratitude overwhelmed me, and I couldn't wait to share this incredible news with my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life was tough before I received help from GiveDirectly. I used to work as a house cleaner, but the income was never enough to cover my children's school fees or provide them with a decent place to live. It was heartbreaking to see them cry themselves to sleep in our smoky cooking house every night. But thanks to GiveDirectly, things have changed dramatically. With the cash transfer they provided, I managed to build a proper shelter for my children, and now they sleep peacefully and comfortably. We're all so much happier and more secure, and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to give my kids a better life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My children and I had been living in a makeshift structure that served as our kitchen. Every night, the smoke from the cooking fire would fill the air, making it hard for my kids to sleep. With the $300 of the cash transfer, I decided to change the situation by building a proper house for my children. It may not be grand, but it's a real home, and now they can sleep peacefully without the constant intrusion of smoke.
Education has always been a dream for me, and I wanted to ensure my children had the opportunity to learn. So, I used $150 to pay for my eldest child's secondary school fees. It's a small step towards a brighter future for him. Additionally, I used $50 to pay the school fees for my two younger children in primary school. It warms my heart to see them attending school, knowing that they have a chance at a better life through education. With the little that was left, I bought some food for my family. We may not have much, but we have a roof over our heads, my children are in school, and we're no longer struggling to put food on the table. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our lives are slowly getting better, and we're filled with hope for tomorrow.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I am a house wife doing domestic chores while my husband does casual jobs at Malindi earning approximately $80 per month which caters for food only. I have a family of five members with three being school going children. I have one child at Secondary school with a fees balance of$150 and two children at Kahingoni primary with school fees balance of $40. Last month they also reminded at home due to the fees arrears. I will use $200 to clear the school fees balance so that they can settle and improve their performances. I will also use $800 to start a shop and a grocery business here at home. The village has only one shop which does not meet the needs of the people fully so I have a good market. I intend to make approximately $20 per day as a profit. This business will solve the school fees shortage since the profit will help me pay school fees for the children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter in-law got a baby boy on February 2023 . This added my family size to a higher level. I feel happy to see my family growing .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of reliable source of income is the current challenge I am currently facing in life. My husband does casual jobs and I am just a house wife. He earns approximately $ 80 per month which caters for food only. Lack of reliable income has caused my three sons to be out of school for a week due to school fees.
